“Only with your eyes shall you look, and see the reward of the wicked.” (Psalm 91:8 NKJV)
“You will be a spectator as the wicked perish in judgment, for they will be paid back for what they have done!” (Psalm 91:8 TPT)
“Just open your eyes, and see how the wicked are punished.” (Psalm 91:8 NLT)
“You will only [be a spectator as you] look on with your eyes and witness the [divine] repayment of the wicked [as you watch safely from the shelter of the Most High].” (Psalm 91:8 AMP)
“You will only see it with your eyes and witness the punishment of the wicked.” (Psalm 91:8 HCSB)
“But with your eyes alone you shall see the reward of the wicked.” (Psalm 91:8 ABIPE)
As I began to ponder Psalm 91:8 Daddy took me deeper into the assurance that the devastation that is all around me is not for me. He reminded me that the only way to truly understand any of Scripture was to filter it through Jesus. As I have heard it said, and stated it myself more than once, “Jesus is perfect theology.” Anything that even hints of the idea that it is “God’s will” for me to suffer the destructive effects of Satan and sin in this world falls far short of my Daddy’s desire and design (will) for me as His child. That truth is clearly seen in any environment in which Satan and sin are absent (i.e. Heaven, the Garden of Eden, The New Jerusalem). It is also clearly seen in the life, ministry, and teaching of Jesus. As the perfect demonstration of the Father, Jesus only gave life and blessing, NEVER death and cursing.
If I choose to live in “wickedness,” even though my Daddy still loves me, and seeks to bless me, I open myself up to the attacks of the enemy that fill this world. As I step out of the shelter, the effects of the “judgment” of sin in this fallen world may impact me. As I look around me, and see all of the pain and suffering taking place, I can choose to run to my Daddy, finding protection, or walk in the destruction, accepting whatever the enemy throws at me. It is raining in this world. As I walk in the rain, I can either stay under my umbrella, or get wet.
The Apostle Paul made it clear that my choices and actions bring consequences. I will reap what I sow. However, receiving the consequences of my actions is different than believing that my Daddy somehow desires and designs (wills) that I suffer as the “world” suffers.
At this point, I also need to point out that there is one type of “suffering” that I should expect as one who is visibly living with Daddy in Christ. Jesus said that as His disciple I will suffer persecution. Those who reject Christ will reject me as His re-presentative. If I have never been persecuted, or rejected, for following Jesus, then I need to ask myself what is wrong with my life. If everyone loves me then something is out of whack. I should strive to be loveable, but if someone hates Jesus, yet loves me, there is something worng with this picture.
I also need to acknowledge that according to the teachings of of scripture (especially from the Apostle Peter) I will be confronted with “troubles” in this life. Nowhere in Scripture, including Psalm 91 (which we will see in later verses) am I promised a trouble free life. There will be challenges, difficulties, and trials to face. The key to bringing balance to my life when it comes to these type of things is found in knowing the difference between being “prepared” for troubles, as opposed to “expecting” them.
When I build a belief system that “expects” troubles then I think, speak, and act in such a way as to invite troubles into my life. An expectation of “bad tnings” happening opens the door to the enemies attacks, and leads to a passive acceptance of whatever comes my way. Job was a good example of this. He opened the door to the enemy through fear, religion, and lack of knowledge. He fully expected to be slapped around as the result of what was happening in his life, and when devastation came his immediate response was to confess that his “greatest fear” had come upon him. He then accepted the enemies attacks with the vain philosphy of man made religion, proclaiming in ignorance, “The Lord gives and the Lord takes away.” He is a perfect example of what NOT to do in relation to ‘troubles.”
On the other hand, if I choose not to prepare in any way for ‘troubles” then I am leaving myself vulnerable. There is a fine line between faith and foolishness. I know that I flirt with this line regularly as I take the risks necessary to live a life of faith. Denial is like sticking my hand on a hot burner, and as my skin is sizzling like bacon, proclaiming “nothing can harm me.” Faith is acknowledging the potential harm of touching the burner, and being prepared to do what needs to be done to avoid getting burned. If I deny the reality of troubles, and refuse to acknowledge their existence, when the flood comes I will drown.
Bottom Line: I will prepare for whatever may come my way, while expecting that as a spectator, I will “see” this worlds destruction and devastation, but do not have to “touch” it.
Keep pondering…
…Eric’s Life Lesson # 218: Life in the Secret Place of the Most High (Psalm 91) Part 9 – Verse 8